Six-minute walk test (6MWT) is one of the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). It is not only used to assess the cardiac and pulmonary function of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but also used to assess COPD patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) or self-management in daily life. With the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) put forward, assessing patients’ preoperative cardiac and pulmonary function, establishing preoperative and early postoperative exercises standards, as well as assessing cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation after surgery become much more important. CPET gets more attention from clinical surgeons. This study focuses on the clinical value and status of 6MWT in thoracic surgery.